COLCHESTER United are eying up a possible trip to Wembley after making further progress in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Bournemouth last night.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United are eying up a possible trip to Wembley after making further progress in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Bournemouth last night.

The U's strung together their third successive 1-0 away win in this competition, and are now just two steps away from a repeat of their appearance in the final of 1997.

Manager Paul Lambert was delighted with his side's display, which saw Aston Villa striker Sam Williams score the winner on his debut.

"It would be terrific for the lads to get to Wembley, and terrific for me in my first season. I'm sure we would take some big support to Wembley with us, if we could make it,” enthused Lambert.

“The lads were brilliant for me once again. We could have been more than 1-0 up at half-time, and their keeper (Ryan Pryce) made some decent saves.

“I thought defensively we were excellent. Pat Baldwin and Mark Heath were great at the back. We were comfortable in the first-half.

“We expected Bournemouth to come back in the second-half, which is what always happens because you can never get completely your own way in a football match.

“But we came through well. Mark Cousins didn't have too many saves to make, but he made a good one from Warren Cummings.

“It was the first time I had seen him play. I thought he did really well.

“It was good to keep a clean-sheet, and I was also able to rest a few players, which was important.

“Sam (Williams) played well on his debut. His hold-up play was good and he took his goal well,” added Lambert.

Match-winner Williams was over-the-moon to score on his Colchester debut, after signing on loan from Aston Villa on Monday.

“It was great to score. I hit it instinctively.

“I've come here to play as many games as I can, and to score as many goals as I can!” insisted Williams.

“In fact, I thought we could have scored a lot more goals tonight. Their keeper made some good saves.”